STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: September 22, 2026
To: Honorable Mayor & City Council
From: Stephanie Harris, Assistant City Manager
Chad Lynn, Deputy Director of Special Projects – Public Safety Subject: Donor Education, Information and Collateral for the October 7th Memorial Project
Attachments: 1. Information and Education One Page Sheet
2. Memorial Information and Donor Appreciation Packet
INTRODUCTION
The City Council selected “Light Shared Between Us” by Atelier Eyester Architecture as the art piece design for the October 7th permanent Memorial. The City of Beverly Hills Community Charitable Foundation (Foundation) will be responsible for engaging the community and the primary vehicle for accepting contributions for the construction and installation of the selected monument.
The Foundation met on September 14, 2026, and September 16, 2026, to review, update and select the informational and educational materials to begin engaging the community and accepting contributions for the Memorial Project.
DISCUSSION
At the meeting of September 14, 2026, staff presented two specific pieces of collateral to assist the Foundation with providing education and information related to the monument, the project site and the donation recognition program. The first is a one-page document (Attachment 1) with a simple visual representation of the monument, along with an abridged project narrative and the methods to receive donations. The second (Attachment 2) is a more in depth ‘deck’ which provides a more detailed project description and narrative along with multiple project renderings showing the overall project site, the monument, the title wall, water feature and donation recognition wall.
The Board reviewed the material and provided feedback, including updated narratives and a request to update some of the graphic material. Staff returned to the Board on September 16, 2026, with the updated materials for review. Additional feedback was provided, and the Board reached consensus on the materials to be published.
This report transmits the materials (Attached) that will be used for information and education when the Foundation engages with the community to participate in the funding Meeting Date: September 22, 2026
of the Memorial Project. At the request of the Foundation Board, renderings and graphics in the provided attachments will continue to be updated and replaced based on the progress of the project and the availability of new collateral.
With the selection of these materials, the Foundation will begin engaging with the community to raise the funds necessary for the construction and installation of the Memorial Project.
Donation Information
With respect to the process for accepting donations, the Foundation has established an online website as the vehicle for donations of up to $100,000. This method is the simplest and most direct for making a contribution to the October 7th memorial project. Donors will receive a written acknowledgment as evidence of their contribution, and which may be used to substantiate their charitable contributions for purposes of claiming a federal income tax deduction, as applicable to the donor. Alternative methods to transfer funds may be considered for donations of over $100,000 or if there are specific circumstances which may require additional attention.
For donations over $100,000 or which may require a charitable contribution agreement, such as donations made by a private foundation or family office, the City will work individually with these donors on the specific terms and conditions of a contribution agreement. When such an agreement is necessary, it is preferred that the agreement be entered into between the City and the Donor. If the donor is not able to contribute directly to the City, it is preferred the parties enter into a three-party agreement between the City, Foundation and Donor, in which the Foundation accepts the contributions based on the terms, conditions and deliverables related to the duties of the City and the Donor.
In all cases, donors are responsible for working with their independent financial professionals related to the tax implications of their donations.
FISCAL IMPACT
The City’s contribution to the memorial project is $500,000.
The fundraising goal for the remaining project costs will be established based on the current project budget of $1.855 million.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council receive and review the material provided for informational purposes.
Stephanie Harris
Assistant City Manager
Approved By
Attachment 1
Attachment 2
1 MEMORIAL WALL OF NAMES
2 DONOR RECOGNITION WALL
3 MEMORIAL TITLE WALL
4 BENCHES
5 PATH
6 EDUCATION STATION
7 MINI OLIVE TREES